Magnetic operating mechanism



jan. l,

MAGNETIC OPERATING MECHANI SM embodying my invention.

Patented dan. l, i924.

anna

l @litt HGWD E. MQ

C0., 0F CLEVIML.

i aanname niet nievre, raar. eenen ne. naar.

To all whom t mag/camera:

Be it known that l, HOWARD l. Monats, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio,l have invented certam new and vuseful Improvements-in and Relating to Magnetic Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a speciication. f

This invention relates to an automatically controlled valve mechanism, particularly of the thermostatic type, especially adapted to control the flow o a fluid, such as gas, through a conduit, whereby the use of the fluid may be econom-i heating and other purposes.

One object of the invention is to provide a valve mechanism in which novel means are provided for controlling thex valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved valve operating mechanism capable of operating positive y to seat vand unseat 'the valve with a relatively quick action.

.Another object of the invention is to provide an improved valve o erating mechanism having a magnet whic positively controls the valve.

Another object invention is to prof mechanism for a vide improvedvoperatn may be economi'- valve, wherebyl fthe dui cally used and controlled. l

A further object'o'f the invention is to provide a positive valve operating mechanism of relatively few parts to insure durability, reduced cost of manufacture and quick operation of the valve.

Other objects of the invention will be ap-y parent to those skilled in the art to which my'invention relates from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

For the purpose 'of the accompanying drawings, shown and herein described one form Fi ure l is an elevational view, part y bro en away, illustrating a valve mechanism embodying my invention as applied to a water heating apparatus.

In the drawin cally controlled for' i able manner.

illustration l have,.in

ot mechanism .Fig 2 is a longitudinal sectional view.

through the valveo erating mechanism and the conduit throng cont-rolled passes. y

Fig. 3 is a section on the line.33 of Fig. 2. l

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of one of the casing members.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 2, but showing the osition of the elements when the valve is c osed.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the position of the parts when the valve is opened.

, While l have illustrated in the drawings the application of m invention for use 1n connection with tliermostatic elements which control the heating of water in a tank and maintainingit at any desired temperature, it will be understood that it is equallyv adapted for use where such elements control the heating ofany other medium, such as air in a room or confined space.

l. indicates a tank adapted to contain water. 2 indicates a water supply pipe, which is connected to the ta in any suit- 3 indicates a pipe leading which the Huid to be from the tank to points where the heated A water is desired for use. 4: indicates a burnerL having snitablejets. As shown in the'r drawings, the burner d is arrad below the tank l, so that the water therein may be heated directly trom the her. When the burner is thus arranged, the tank is provided with a flue 5 through which the products of combustion escape, Such arrangement bein tends through e tank and aids in quickly heating the water therein. 'llheA tank l may be mounted upon a standard l@ or other suitable support.

2y indicates a ipe connected to the bottom of the tan 1, whereby it maybe drained, when desired. The pipe 2 is provided with a suitable valve or cock as shown in the drawings, lt will be under# stood that the pipe connections to and from the tank l may be arranged in any manner, other than that vshown in the drawings, when des t" preferable as the flue ex- K tion to the burner 4f itor well-known purposes. 'lhe pilot pipe 7a preferably extends upwardly and is connected 'to the pipe 6 at a point above the valve and valve controlling mechanism to .be later described. r1`he pilot pipe 7a is preferably provided with a valve 7". Sindicatos a c aslng which houses the valve 9 and the operating mechanism therefor, inlA dicated'as an entirety at 10. The casing 8 is interposed in yand connected to the as supply pipe 6 as will be later set forth. he casing 8 preferably comprises two members 11," 12, suitably shaped to facilitate their assembly for correlatlon with each other and assembly. of the operating elements therein,

as will later be apparent. 'llhe casing memfL ber 1,1 is provided with a curved' seat or wall "13 to which the casing member 12 is secured in a well-known way, forexample, by' screws 1d. 'llhe casin member 11 is formed with a chamber 15 w ichopens on its inner side through the wall 13. 16 indicates a plate of some suitable non-ma etic material, such as brass, which is .pre erably interposed between the'casing members 11 and 12 and arranged to close the open end of the chamber 15, whereby escape of the gas from the conduit or chamber orinto the casing member 12 is prevented. The plate 16 is rela-y tively thin for purposes which will later appear.

.17 18, indicate a pair of hollow bosses provided on vthe upper and lower ends, respectively, of the casing member 11 and serving as connectingelements for the adjacent pipe ends 6P, 6b, ofthe pipe I6, 'these ends being screwed into the bosses in a well-known way.

The boss 18 merges into the chamber 15, as shown in the drawings. 19 indicates an o ening formed in t-he casing member 11. 'libe wall ot the casing member 11 between the chamber 15 and opening 19 is formed with an inlet port 20-for the gas and Athe wall of the port is shaped `and ground to provide a seat 21 for the valve 9. The open end of the opening 19 is provided with screw threads to receive a removable plug or cap 22. The cap 22 seals the opening 19. As shown, the opening is in line with the valve seat 21 and permits the assembly of the valve 9 and its replacement or repair, if that becomes necessary. 23 indicates .a conduit termed in the casin member 11 and lead ing from the boss 1 to the chamber 19. 24 indicates a stem for the valve 9 depending therefrom into the chamber 15 `lor connection with and operation by 'the operating mechanism 10. li preferably provide the valve 9 maracas with guides 9 which serve to maintain it with external screw threads adapting it for connection with` the walls of an onmg 1b formed in the side wall of the't 1 26, 27 lindicate thermostatic elements extending into the tank 1.` V 'lhe element 26 pret.-

erably comprises a section of tubing formed4 :from copper or other material capable of readily expanding under the inuence of heat The outerl end of the element 26 isl closed in any suitable'manner. The inner I,end of the tube fits tightly within the boss 25c andis provided with a Han e 26a which -`engages a shoulder formed on t e'inner wall of the boss 25. 28. indicates a collar or rin` e5 member fitting wit-hin the boss" 25 an against the shoulder to form a liquid ltight joint 'toy revent leakage of the water inthe .tank 1t ro h the boss25 into the easing member12. he thermostatic element 27 is preferably formed from some material, such as porcelain, which is not toanysubstantial extent atlected by temperature changes. v'llhe element 27 is arranged within the section .of tubin 26 being connected at its outer end to` the a jacent end of the tube 26 by an 4suitable device, such as a screw 29, which permits adjustment of the elements relative to each other when desired. The inner end of the thermostatic element 27 is, by preference, slidably mounted in the ring member 28 so as to be supported andv guided at its inner end.` The inner end of the element 27 is phreferably provided with a cap 30, having a t rust element 31 extending axially from latter expands and moves the element 27' endwise, or toward the lett, as viewed in the drawin and (2) when the temperatureoif the me ium falls, the element26 contracts and moves the element 27 endwise in the opposite direction, thereby serving to control the operation of the operating mechani 10 i as will be later set forth.

Ufv the operating mechanism 10, 32 indicates a lever pivoted upon across shaft or pivot 33-mounted at its opposite ends in suitableopenings formed in theside walls otI the casingr member 12. 3a indicates a supplemental lever pivoted to the tree end of the lever 32 and engaging a ulcrum 35 about which it rocks during movement ot the lever 32. 36 indicatesa magnet, preterably of the horse-shoe ty im pivoted at or near its inner end upon a satt or pivot pin izo retrace@ 37 supported at its opposite ends in the walls of the casing member 12. 39 india cates a bar or rod connected to and extending across the gap between the two legs 38 of the magnet 36 and arranged to be engaged by the free end of the supplemental lever 34,

'to swing the magnet about its pivotal support 37. As shown in the drawings, the

horse-shoe type of magnet provides a space i between its legs for the free end of thelever 32 to/ move in; and by bifurcating the free end of the lever 32provision'is made for the reception of the supplemental lever'` 34, whereby the lever 32, supplemental lever 34 and magnet 36 co-operate and move freely relative to each other in a relatively small confined space or chamber, so that compact- 'ness and reduced cost of manufacture are insured. The lever 32 is provided with an abutment 32*1 with which the thrust member' 31 engages. When the thermostatic element 26 contracts due to fall in temperature of the v water in the tank 1, it will move thethermostatic element 27 endwise toward the right, as viewed in the drawings, and it in turn will act through the levers 32 and 34 to swing the magnet 36- about its pivot 37 upwardly. rl`he operating elements just described are preferably arranged so that when thewater in the tank 1 is at the desired temperature, the magnet 36 is in a substantially horizontal position as shown in Fig. 2. indicates va shaft extending transversely across the chamber 15 'and secured at its opposite ends in the side walls thereof. 40 indicates'a rocker having a pair of wingsy 41, .41', of magnetic material extending to either side of the shaft 40. 42 indicates an arm fixed to the rocker 40 and pivotally connected at its outer end to the lower end 'of the valve stem 24. As shown in the drawings, the free end or legs 38 of the magnet 36 are movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the shaft 40 to attract the wings 41, 41', to rock the rocker 40 on its shaft 40 to open and close the valve 9.

From the foregoing description, it4 will he seen that the rocker 40 constitutes an armature pivoted; intermediate its ends, whereby movement of the magnet in opposite directions towards its ends will cause the armature to rock to either positively open or close the valve 9 with a relatively quick motion. y

ln operation-assuming that the water in the tank 1 is at the desired temperaturethe elements of the valve operating mechansm 10 will be substantially in the position shown infFig. 2 and the weight of the valve 9 and its stem, supplemented by the gas pressure will maintain it Aagainst itsl seat 21and the wing 41 will be in its inner vposition and the wing 41 will be in its outer position. lf the water in the tank l is allowed to cool or coolingtakes place by reason of the discharge of the hot water therefrom, the cooling eect will cause afcontraction of the thermostatic element 26 and movement of the element 27 toward the right; such movement will in turn operate the levers 32 and 34 and they in turn will swing the magnet 36 upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6. As such movement of the'magnetv continues, it will overcome the' weight of the valve stem and pressure of ther gas on the valve and attract the armature 41', causing the rocker to rock about its pivot and open `hevvalve with a relatively quick movement, as shown. Gas will now iow through the casing member 11 to the burner 4 and become ignited from the pilot 7 heating of the water will then take place. When thc water has reached the desired, predetermined temperat-ure, the heat thereof will cause the expansion of the tubing 26 and vit will move the thermostatic element 27 endwise toward the left.

As the thermostatic element 27 moves int-his direction therlevers 32, 34, will operate in the reverse direction, due to their weight 'and the weight lt will be seen that the magnet 36 is mov-l able, and operates to both open and close the valve with relatively quick actions and these operations are e ected by movement of the magnet relative to two armatures,

which being connected together and mounted v upon a common pivot are positively and alternately operated to open and close the valve by a single movement ofthe magnetl relative to and to either side of the pivot about which the armatures swinof.

The construction is particularly advantageous for the further reason that the mag-l netic influence between the magnet and one end of the rocker serves to'maintain the valve in either position until it is positively moved to its other position; for example, in Fig. 5 the magnet 36 is shown at substantially its lowest position and attractingthe armature end 41. Due to the magnetic influence upon the armature end 41, the latter will be maintained in that position A(and the valve seated) while the mag- -net 36 is moving upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6 until its influence on the armature end 41 exceeds its influence on the armature end 41, at which time there will p be a, rapid im in the inlluence on the armature end tland a rapid increase in .the influence on the armature end tl', the edect ot whichis to` move the valve to the open position quickly and positively.

From( the foregoing description it will betwo separate closed chambers in each oli which are mounted certain oli the valve operating elements, the armature or armatures being mounted in one chamber and the le-I vers and magnet beinmounted in another chamber. l am there ore enabled to mounta, minimum number of elements required for operating the valve 9 in the chamber throuh which the gas passes and to position all l.: remaining elements outside of that chamber. 'lhis arrangement keeps the gas from dowing into the chamber containing the series ber 15, but maintains the maet and armatures el, el', out ot contact at all times, so that they will not Stich to each other.

Since :fretic attraction is relied upon to operate te armature el, tl', (l) there is no connection between them and the means which control their movements (2)) the valve is positively o erated in eac direction without the provision of a loose connection or a spring connection between any ot its operating elements to insure unich or snap action; and (3) yall pached joints, glands and gaskets for openings for operating elements extending into the gas'cham hers or conduits or prior constructions are avoided. v

'lhe tulcrum 35 preferably comprises a rod provided with screw threads which ht a screw-threaded openin in the lower portion or the casing memr l2.' This con= struction and arrangement permits the rod to be rotatedl and thereby adjusted endwise so that the engagement oil the supplemental lever 34% with the cross rod 39 can be controlled to relate the operation of the magnet 36 relative to the armatures dl, el, whereby the water in the tank l can be maintained'at a relatively higher or lower temperature, as desired.

'lothose skilled in. .the art ol melting mechanisme oil the class described, man alterations in construction and widely di u tering bute and applications ot my nare,

:invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and sco thereof. My disc osures and the description herein arepurely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

lin this connection it-will "be noted that my constructionis ually adapted for controlling the flow, d? materials through a conduit other thana fluid, such for example, as powdered or granular materials. lt will also be understood that the magnetic elements may be reversed so that the magnet will be connected to the valve and the armature moved relative to it.

What l claimv is: l. ln apparatus or the class described, the combination of a thermostatic element, a conduit, a valvefor said conduit, and a plurality or movable devices, one of which is magnetized'l and one of which forms an armature, operatively connected to said thermosta'tic element and said valve, where.

`by said thermostatic element moves one oi said movable devices to edect opening and closin of said valve.

2. l 'apparatus of the class described, the combination of a thermostatic element, a conduit, a valve for said conduit, an armature connected to said valve, a magnet operatively connected to said element and pivoted to swing relative to' said armature and through it to open and close said valve.

13. n apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conduit, a valve theretor, ya ypair et magnetic elements one ot which is connected to said valve and mounted to move about a pivot, and means for moving the other element relative to said tiret mentioned element. l

l. ln apparatus el the class described, the combination of a conduit, a valve therefor, a pair ot magnetic cents one of which is connected to said valvev and mountl ed to roch on a ivot arrange intermediete its ends, auf means for moving the other element relative to said pivot towards the ends oli said hrst mentioned element.

5. ln apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conduit, a valve'theretor, a pair oil magnetic elements comprising a magnet and an armature, said armature being connected to saidvalve and mounted to move about a pivot, and means lor moving the magnet retive to said armature.

t. lin apparatus et the class described, the combination oli a conduit, a valve therefor, an armature connected to said `valve and mounted to rock on a pivot arranged intermediate its ends, a movably mounted magnet, and means for moving the sald magnet relative to id pivot towards the ends ol said armature.

7. ln apparatus ol the class described, the

vcombination oi a conduit, a valve therefor,

an armature pivoted intediate its ends ftherethrough a maracas and carrying an arm pivoted to said valve, and a magnet mounted to move in opposite directions toward the ends of said armature, and means for operating said magnet.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conduit, a valve therefor, an armature pivoted intermediate its ends and carrying an arm pivoted to said valve, and a magnet mounted to move in opposite directions toward the ends of said armature, and thermostatic means tor operating said magnet.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conduit, a valve in said conduit for controlling the low of a fluid therethrough, a member mounted in said conduit and operatively connected to said valve for operating it, and means located entirely outside of said conduit for operating' said member.

10. In apparatus of the class descri, the combination of a conduit, a` valve in said conduit for controlling the How of a duid therethrough, and magnetic means for operating said valve, elementsot. said means being mounted in said conduit and other elements of said means being mounted outside of said conduit.

11. In apparatus of the class descri, the combination of a conduit, a valve in said conduit for controlling the dow of a duid therethrough, magnetic means for operating said valve, elements of saidA means being mounted in said conduit and other elements of said means being mounted outside of said conduit, and thermostatic means for con trollin said magnetic means.

12. the combination of aconduit, a valve in said conduit for ,controlling the llow of a fluid controlling member, an operating element connected to Vsaid valve, and an operating elementoperatively connected to said controlling member, and separated from said irst mentioned element, but constructed and arranged to transmitl the power of said controlling member to operatesaid valve.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conduit, a valve in said conduit, a controlling member, an operating element mounted in said conduit and connected to said valve, and an operating element operatively connected to said controlling member and arranged .outside of said conduit, said elements being separated, but constructed and arranged to transmit the powerv of said controlling member to operate said valve. f

14. In lapparatus of the class described, the combination ot a conduit for a iluid, a casing interposed in said conduit and formed with a valved port and a closed chamber through which the vuid Hows, a controlling member, an operating element mounted in n apparatus of the class described,

said chamber and connected to the valve of said valved port, and an operating element operatively connected to said controlling member and arran ed outside of said chamber, said elements ing separated, but constructed and arranged to transmit the power of said controlling member to operate said valve.

l5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conduit for a'fluid, a casing interposed in said conduit and formed with a valved port and a closed chamber through `which the fluid Hows, a controlling member, and a pair of magnetic elements, one of said elements being mounted in said closed chamber and connected to the valve of said valved port and the other element being operatively connected to said controlling member.

16. In apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a conduit for a fluid, a

casing having two separate chambers, one of which is connectedrto said conduit and formed with a valve for regulating flow of the duid through it, a controlling member, and a pair of magnetic elements, one of said elements being mounted in said chamber connected to said conduit and operatively connected to said valve and the other element being in the other chamber and o eratively connected to said controlling mem r.

l?. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conduit for a fluid, a casing havin a closed chamber connected to said conduit and through which the fluid ilows, and a separate chamber, a valve for controlling the dow of the duid through said closed chamber, an operating element in said closed chamber and connected to said valve, a thermostatic element projecting into the separate chamber, and means in said separate chamber' arranged to be actuated b said thermostatic element for operating tlie operating element insaid closed chamber.

I8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conduit for a fluid, a casing havin a closed chamber lconnected to said condult and through which the fluid tlovvs, and a separate chamber, a valve for controlling the .dow .of the fluid through said closed chamber',- an armature in said closed chamber connected to said valve, a thermostatic element projecting into the separate cliammr, and means in said separate chamber including a movable magnet arranged to be actuated by said thermostatic element for rating said armature in said closed cham r.

19. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conduit for a duid, a casin havin 'a closed gas chamber connecte to sai conduit and a separate chamber, apvalve for controlling the flow of the duid through said closed chamber, an armature pivoted intermediate its en and connected to said valve, a 'tliermostatie element projecting into tbe separate c "einer, and means in said separate chamber, to be actuated by said. tliermostetic eiement for operating said armature in said closed` cbamber, said means including a magnet to mountedl to move in opposite directions toward tbe ends oit tbe armature to aiternately roclr it on its pivot 20. ln apparatus of 'the class described, the combination oa conduit, a easing having a gas chamber connected to seid conduit and through which tbe laras iiows, and a Separate chamber, a valve tor controlling tlielow of tbe gas through said gas cliamu ber, and armature in said gas claarnber connected to said valve and mounted on a pivot arranged intermediate its ends, a tlaerniostatic element projecting into tbe separate. chamber, means in said separate chamber arranged to be actuated by said tbermostatic element rior operating' said armature, said means including` a magnet movable in opposite directions towards the ends oi said armature ior alternately rocking it on its pivot, whereby said valve is opened and closed, and a relatively tliin wall ci nonrnagnetic material arranged between said magnet and said armature.

2l. iin apparatus ot tbe class described, tbe combination of a tliermostatic element, n conduit, a valve 'tor said conduit, a plurality ot elements, one oi which is magnetized and one ol which forms an armature, operatively connected to said thermostatic element and said valve and controlled by said thermostatic element to open and close said valve, and a relatively tliin wall of non-magnetic material arranged between said magnetized element and said armature.

22. lin apparatus oil the 'class described, tbe combination ot a conduit, a valve in said conduit, an armature pivoted intermediate its ends and connected to said valve, and a magnet movable from end to end et said armatore and serving te bold one end oitI the armatnre in attracted Jposition nntil its induence neon the otlier end overcomes the attraction nnen tbe lirst mentioned end, whereby tlie armature is operated-with a relatively quiclr movement.. y

28. ln apparatus ci' tbe class described, tbe combination oi a movable member, :noi/ably mounted armature connected to said member for operating it, a liorsesboe magnet 'inverted at its inner ends and arranged so that its tree ends move relative 'to said armature, a lever liaving tree end extending to and movable between the legs ot said magnet, a snpplemental lever pivotally connected to tbe :tree end oil the tiret mentioned lever and engaging said magnet to move it, a tulcrnm on wiaicb said "supplemental lever moves, and means fior engaging7 and operating said iirst mentioned lever.

2t. An apparatus as claimed claim 22., in which a 'thermostat element is operatively connected with and moves said magnet.

25. ln apparatus o1? tbe class described, tbe combination ot a controlling member,

a conduit, a valve ici' said-conduit, a pair nected to and moved by said tlierinostatie` element.

ln testimony wliereoif ll ax my signature.

HWAJRD l. MltlttllS. 

